No surprise to Stephen A.

Published 1:00 am, Friday, July 9, 2010

Smith, a Fox Sports Radio morning host and longtime NBA beat reporter, told listeners June 28 that free agent LeBron James was going to the Miami Heat as part of a package with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. His report was proven right 10 days later when James made the announcement on national TV.

"I feel vindicated to some degree," said Smith, a guest at a fundraiser Thursday night at Wolf's 1-11, "not because I was right, but I'm a person who prides myself on respecting the industry, respecting my colleagues. It was unfortunate to me that a lot of people in the business were so quick to attack me.

"I am an NBA insider. I've enjoyed a strong level of success. It's almost as if people were wishing that I fail. I don't hurt very easily, but that hurt me because we're all in the industry together. I don't wish for my colleagues to fail. I wish they wouldn't do that now."

Smith, who appeared live on CNN from Wolf's during the James announcement, said he was sidetracked a half hour beforehand when the Miami Herald pulled a full-page ad welcoming James. His source told him that it was just a ploy to get people to watch the announcement.

"I feel relieved," Smith said. "I'm glad that it's over, because suspense, the need to be right was there like never before because of what I reported. It definitely was a form of vindication, but I never want to be a part of having to break a story of this magnitude. I paid my dues in that regard."